Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 17, 1993

USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett who has been involved in big-time football as a player, TV commentator, fan or administrator since 1963--says John Robinson is doing the best coaching job he has ever seen. . . .

“Robinson took over a team that didn’t know how to win and wasn’t the most talented,” Garrett said. “The improvement they’ve shown is incredible.” . . .

The Trojans have won five of their last six games and outscored their 11 opponents, 139-42, in second halves. . . .

“The coaches go over schemes at halftime, but I especially like the psychological things John does,” said Garrett, a weekly locker-room visitor. “He sets his players in the right frame of mind.” . . .

Great coaching or not, a loss to UCLA Saturday at the Coliseum and the Trojans would finish with a regular-season record of 7-5, a lower percentage than 6-4-1 a year ago under Larry Smith. . . .

Garrett is well aware of the importance of USC-UCLA games, especially those with Rose Bowl berths at stake. . . .

“I would rather have won that day and gone to the Rose Bowl than have won the Heisman Trophy,” said Garrett, who ran for 210 yards during the Trojans’ 20-16 loss to the Bruins in his Heisman season of 1965. . . .

If there is a rematch, the “Top 10 Reasons Why Notre Dame Is Better Than Florida State,” as written by Irish backup quarterback Paul Failla and kicker Kevin Pendergast, is certain to be Seminole bulletin-board material. . . .

After San Diego State got booed during its loss to Brigham Young last Thursday, ESPN commentator Mike Gottfried said: “They boo quick in a pro town.” . . .

Jim Everett’s comments about the Rams’ poor preparation for the Atlanta game smacks of someone who doesn’t expect to be around next season. . . .

The Raiders still aren’t utilizing the talents of Rocket Ismail enough. . . .

Ismail, one of the most explosive performers in football, should have more than one touchdown. . . .

The Buffalo Bills must have thought they were playing in the Super Bowl Monday night. . . .

Do the NFL rookie-of-the-year voters dare give the award to an offensive tackle, Willie Roaf of the New Orleans Saints, over a quarterback, Rick Mirer of the Seattle Seahawks?. . . .

Marvin Jones, the New York Jets’ rookie linebacker from Florida State, was beginning to live up to his advance notices when he was sidelined for the rest of the season because of a hip injury. . . .

For the record: The AFC is 15-12 against the NFC after going 22-30 last season. . . .

Only four of the 14 AFC teams have losing records. . . .

The Associated Press preseason All-American basketball team has Eric Montross of North Carolina at center, Grant Hill of Duke and Glenn Robinson of Purdue at forwards, and Jason Kidd of California and Billy McCaffrey of Vanderbilt at guards. . . .

Defending NCAA champion and top-ranked North Carolina will have the home-state advantage in Charlotte if it reaches the Final Four. . . .

George Raveling, on freshman guard Stais Boseman: “At the very least, he will become the best defensive player in USC history.” . . .

Dehere was a flop in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but Saturday we’ll get to see how another prominent basketball name, Sharman, does in the Hollywood Derby. . . .

Humberto (Chiquita) Gonzalez will prep for his Feb. 19 Forum rematch against light-flyweight champion Michael Carbajal by facing Armando Diaz on the ESPN card from Atlantic City tonight. . . .

George Foreman plans to fight one more time, probably this spring in his hometown of Houston. . . .

“I want to go out a winner,” said Foreman, who lost a decision to Tommy Morrison in his last bout. . . .

Peter Jacobsen, who is teamed with Arnold Palmer in the Franklin Funds Shark Shootout Friday-Sunday at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, will give up his TV commentator duties next year and concentrate on the PGA Tour. . . .

The Shootout, originated by Greg Norman, has raised $3.6 million for children’s charities the last four years. . . .

MGM Grand officials have talked to track and field promoter Al Franken about staging an indoor meet at the Las Vegas hotel’s 15,000-seat arena in late February. . . .

Look for a world record in the long jump during the 1997 World Track and Field Championships at Mexico City. . . .

Best young player in the NHL might be Ottawa Senator rookie center Alexei Yashin, who was drafted in the first round in 1992 and played for Moscow Dynamo last season. . . .

Already, 44 players are on the NBA disabled list. What do they think this is, baseball?